A POWDERPUFF dog named Bebe has become the first pet in New York to be awarded a domestic protection order.

A judge ordered Fredrick Fontanez, 30, the ex-boyfriend of Bebes owner, Derek Lopez, 27, to stay at least 100 yards away from Mr Lopez and the bichon frise after the dog was injured in an attack.

The order was issued at Queens Criminal Court under a new state law designed to protect animals from domestic violence. Nothing was broken, but he was limping,” said Joseph Pentangelo, an inspector for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. One bruise was four square inches. That may not sound like much, but he is a tiny dog.”

Courts have long had the right in America to order suspects to stay away from a victims property. This is common in cases where a jilted lover tries to slash the tyres of the victims car or to steal an article of clothing. But it can also be extended to pets.

New York, however, recently joined Maine and Vermont in enacting legislation specifically empowering courts to issue protection orders for animals. New Jersey is considering a similiar Bill.

Very often, the pet will be the target of violence, either because the person wants to hurt the pet or because they want to hurt the individual by hurting something dear to them,” Mr Pentangelo said. This dog was the target of violence. A gentleman had an argument with the dogs owner and the dog bore the brunt of the anger,” he said.